November/December 2008

FPA references

1. FPA system helpdesk at fire_help@fs.fed.us or call at: 1-800-253-5559.
2. FPA "Quick Start" instruction guide. The Quickstart instruction guide walks FPUs through the initial FPA process with reference and instructional links.
3. Review the FPA White Papers. These papers will describe how the model uses different resources, fuel treatments, or data.
4. FPA User Guide is available on the FPA web site. It is a work in progress and will be updated as needed.

Thank you for your feedback on the LiveMeetings! Click the links below to view and listen to Live Meeting recordings for "Data Input and Dispatch Logic" and Completing Validation Runs.

Wave 2 adds 53 Fire Planning Units working in the FPA System. With the deployment of Wave 2 on November 1, 2008, more than 100 Fire Planning Units (FPUs) have access to the FPA system. Since each FPU has distinct features within their planning unit and wildland fire organization, results at every level of the analysis are being monitored.

Through your use of the FPA's system, modeling anomalies and potential defects are being highlighted for resolution. Your continued detection and diligence will make FPA more a more usable system.

In support of the FPU's implementation the FPA team is continuing to host a weekly interactive forum for questions and discussion about the FPA application.

Your FPU's Validation Runs. Why are validation runs important? Each FPU is different. Validation runs are used to calibrate the FPA model to represent the typical fire behavior and fire management response for each FPU during a defined historical period.

Validation runs should be done after FPU participants review and calibrate their data inputs in FPA. Inputs include:

• Arrival times
• Rates of Spread (ROS)
• Simulation limits

When calibrating data for the Initial Response Simulation (IRS) module, FPUs must look at, and adjust a variety of IRS parameters and FPU information input data. Investment options can be developed when validation runs are completed.

The validation white paper offers suggestions for adjusting data inputs to produce a modeled initial attack success rate (based on fire management response) that is typical for a FPU's defined historical period.

FPA Web Updates

• Validating the Initial Response Simulator (white paper)
• Fuel Treatment Adjustments (TechNews)
• FPA User Guide Chapter Updates: Define Delays, Dispatch Logic, and Defined Resources, Define Dispatch Locations, Fire Workload Areas, and Managing Fire Attributes.

GAO (Government Accountability Office), has released its report on FPA titled: "Interagency Budget Tool Needs Further Development to Fully Meet Key Objectives". Download the full report (52 pages) or read the summary.

FPA Online Training Modules have been delayed. Updates to the FPA User Guide prompted revision to the online training modules. The FPA Team is working closely with the contractor to expedite the revisions and post to the FPA web site as soon as possible.

What's Next: Geographic Area Workshops continue! These workshops are being coordinated by FPA Geographic Area Leads. As each Geographic Area finalizes details and locations they will be announced.

• December 9, 2008: Southwest Geographic Area Workshop
• December 15, 2008: Northern Rockies Geographic Area Workshop
• January 13, 2009: Great Basin Geographic Area Workshop
• January 13, 2009: Northwest Geographic Area Workshop
• January 25, 2009: Northern Rockies Geographic Area Workshop